Speakers at the State Library and subsequently at Parliament House included Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and former Democrats leader Lyn Allison, as well as well-known cartoonist Michael Leunig (video on YouTube: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie48aEBOa3g). Sheik Fehmi Naji El_Imam, Grand Mufti of Australia/New Zealand, was to have spoken, but was too unwell to attend, and his address was read to the crowd.

After initial speeches at the State Library the rally set off for Parliament House, making a detour on the way to protest outside the Egyptian consulate, condemning what speakers described as that government’s complicity in Israel’s actions. At Parliament House there were further speakers, and a number of flags were burned.

SHAC called an emergency rally today in the face of the threat of imminent forced eviction. As it turned out, the 12 noon deadline passed, and eventually unofficial word came that no action should be expection today, but when this speech was delivered the best information available was that either the Sheriff’s office or the police would be enforcing the warrant issued by the Supreme Court at the application of the University. More on the SHAC blog – http://shacmelbourne.blogspot.com/